Request for Information Strategies to Improve Maritime Supply Chain Security and Achieve 100% Overseas Scanning May 2, 2016 1
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE MARITIME SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY AND ACHIEVE 100% OVERSEAS SCANNING 1. PURPOSE This is a Request for Information (RFI). The objective of this RFI is to gather relevant information from interested, capable sources on new strategies for reducing the risk of a radiological and nuclear threat leaving a foreign port of departure via maritime cargo. In particular, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking information, recommendations, or proposed solutions for DHS and its external stakeholders to achieve the requirement of 100 percent overseas scanning established by the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006, as amended. 1 DHS is interested in both technical and nontechnical approaches, and solicits responses from a broad range of responders, to include providers of supplies and services, as well as the non-vendor stakeholder community and nontraditional contractors. We strongly encourage innovative approaches from all sources to achieve this requirement, along with accompanying suggestions or recommendations for a means to implement the proposed solution, including through traditional procurement contracts or other types of instruments. 2. SCOPE The RFI is focused on improving the security of maritime containerized and non-containerized cargo departing foreign seaports and bound for the United States to protect against radiological/nuclear threats. Passenger security concerns are not within the scope of this request. Instead, the RFI solicits input for new programs, capabilities, models, strategies, or approaches through which DHS and our partners can make progress toward achieving the SAFE Port Act 100 percent overseas scanning requirements and enhanced security of maritime cargo bound for the United States. 3. BACKGROUND The 100 percent overseas scanning provision requires that a container that was loaded on a vessel in a foreign port shall not enter the United States (either directly or via a foreign port) unless the container was scanned by nonintrusive imaging equipment and radiation detection equipment at a foreign port before it was loaded on a vessel. 6 U.S.C. 982(b)(1). The purpose 1 The Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act (Pub. L. No. 109 347; enacted October 13, 2006), Section 232, codified at 6 U.S.C. 982, as amended by Section 1701 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. No.110 53; August 3, 2007). 2
of this requirement is to prevent exploitation of the maritime supply chain to introduce nuclear or other radioactive materials into the country. The 100 percent scanning law does not mandate the use of particular equipment, nor does it specify the manner in which alarms must be resolved. DHS is particularly interested in scanning models or commercial approaches that leverage private sector resources and expertise to improve the security of the maritime supply chain system and increase the percentage of containers scanned overseas. The DHS objective will be to identify opportunities to refine current practices or develop new approaches to scanning. 4. INFORMATION SOUGHT DHS is looking for recommendations and information to achieve the specified requirement of 100 percent scanning (both nonintrusive imaging and radiation detection) in foreign seaports for all U.S.-bound maritime containerized cargo. Additionally, DHS is looking for recommendations and information to improve the security of both containerized, and non-containerized maritime cargo (e.g., dry/liquid bulk, breakbulk, rollon/roll-off, etc.), bound for the United States. Hence, the recommendations should support the following national-level desired outcomes: Increase the amount of U.S.-bound maritime cargo scanned; Improve global radiological/nuclear detection capability and capacity; and Reduce nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control in the global maritime shipping environment. The proposed strategy or recommendations Must be robust and adaptable to remain viable in the face of adaptation, response, and innovation by an adversary; May include risk reduction opportunities that rely on protective and preventive measures in addition to scanning for detection and discovery; May consider opportunities to reduce vulnerability, realize resource efficiencies, and improve deployment feasibility through: o Deploying mobile assets designed for quick deployment to multiple locations; o Enhancing current administrative and security controls throughout the supply chain; o Alternative scanning, data reporting, and information-sharing regimes; o Deploying solutions to protect containers from intrusion; o Deploying programs that augment deterrence; o Increasing awareness of security risks and potential solutions among the critical players in the global maritime cargo supply chain; and o Cost-sharing and third party operation and management of programs. Recommendations are encouraged across the full solution space as defined by Doctrine / policy, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership / education, Personnel, and Facilities plus Regulations, Authorities, Grants, and Standards. Regardless of the type, the recommendations 3
should be categorized either as near-term solutions or quick wins that are fast, low cost, easy to implement, and yield immediate payoffs, as well as longer-term solutions that may require some additional development. The discussion of each recommendation should include how it might be implemented, an assessment of its viability, and an estimated cost to implement. 5. CONDITIONS OF THE RFI This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), or promise to issue a Solicitation for supplies or services. The Government will not pay for costs associated with developing a response to this RFI. Respondents to this RFI should not anticipate feedback regarding their submissions, other than acknowledgment of receipt. Some respondents may be contacted by DHS for a follow-on discussion per the schedule shown in Section 7. This RFI does not commit the Government to enter into any contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions in response to this RFI become the property of the Government and will not be returned. 6. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with list responses to any or all of the information sought in Section 4. Responses should be concise and specific. Responders are encouraged to avoid use of excessive marketing lexicon, submission of brochures, and other sales literature. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid DHS, please segregate proprietary information. All responses shall be submitted in PDF format to DNDO.Business@HQ.DHS.GOV by the date given in Section 7. DHS reserves the right to review late submissions but makes no guarantee to the order of or possibility for review of late submissions. Responses should be limited to ten (10) pages. If additional pages are submitted, they may or may not be reviewed. Responses to this RFI may be evaluated by Government technical experts drawn from staff within DHS and other Federal agencies. The Government may use selected support contractor personnel to assist in the evaluation. These support contractors will be bound by appropriate nondisclosure agreements to protect proprietary and source-selection information. After review of the responses, DHS may request a follow-up discussion with the responder. 7. SCHEDULE AND FOLLOW-UP The following represent key submission and follow-up dates: May 2: Release RFI through www.fbo.gov May 9: Deadline to submit questions regarding the RFI to DNDO.Business@HQ.DHS.GOV May 12: Webinar to discuss the RFI starting 11 AM to 12 PM EST at https://share.dhs.gov/dhsoverseasscanning/ 4
June 6: RFI Submission deadline July 13: Invitations sent out for follow-up discussion AUG-SEPT: Follow-up discussion 5